Groove Sharpeners on classic clubs

Uncle T · January 9, 2018

Anybody use groove sharpeners on their classic clubs? Does it help? How long before you have to do them repeatedly? Do they ruin club faces after repeatedly being sharpened? J

Socrates · January 9, 2018

DON'T DO IT!!!!!

I assume they are chrome plated. Groove sharpeners will chew through the chrome in the grooves and you will end up with rust. Don't even do it once.

I only will use a groove tool on raw carbon forged heads. And very carefully because it's darned easy to eff them up.

augustgolf · January 9, 2018

OP...feel free to PM me to discuss

birly-shirly · January 12, 2018

I've used a sharpener on old hogan BeCus, raw Cobras and Vokeys, and on chromed forgings where the face and grooves are sufficiently worn that the chrome is stripped anyway. I do remember when it was the rage to take a square section groove tool (or, in emergencies, a screwdriver) to a nice forged blade, and I'm certainly not advocating that. But it's quite satisfying to restore sharp grooves to a beat up looking face.

BIG STU · January 13, 2018

I've used a sharpener on old hogan BeCus, raw Cobras and Vokeys, and on chromed forgings where the face and grooves are sufficiently worn that the chrome is stripped anyway. I do remember when it was the rage to take a square section groove tool (or, in emergencies, a screwdriver) to a nice forged blade, and I'm certainly not advocating that. But it's quite satisfying to restore sharp grooves to a beat up looking face.

It is funny you mentioned the screwdriver trick. I keep a good quality Snap on brand screwdriver just for that. I will use it on one that the face is worn on and rusted in a heartbeat. Like you I would never dream of doing it to a nice club (aka my Mac Muirfields or my Pristine VIPS) but will do it to a beat up club in the drop of a hat.

Uncle T · January 21, 2018

So on on a club that may be to far beyond. But not on a club that is in good shape?

TimV · January 21, 2018

Well, I had to break out the groove sharpener on a set of Ping Eyes!

First time I'd ever seen a old set of Pings basically worn out. The former owner was a good and consistent ball striker as the 5 and 7 irons were so worn that I had to replace them. Fortunately I already had them in my stash. the 3, 8, 9 and PW required the sharpener. I would have replaced the PW if I'd had another one. The others were fixable. I had thought that type of wear on old Pings impossible! If you have a situation like that go for it. If the clubs are still in nice shape I wouldn't do it.